Merchant Shipping (Safety and Load Line Conventions) Act 1932

CHAPTER II LOAD LINE : SURVEY AND MARKING.

ARTICLE 5. General Provisions.

No ship to which this Convention applies shall proceed to sea on an international voyage after the date on which this Convention comes into force, unless the ship, being—

A

—a new ship,

(a)

has been surveyed in accordance with the provisions of Annex I;

(b)

complies with the provisions of Part II of Annex I; and

(c)

has been marked in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.

B

—an existing ship,

(a)

has been surveyed and marked (whether before or after this Convention comes into force) in accordance with the conditions prescribed either in paragraph A of this Article or in one of the sets of Rules for the Assignment of Load Line particularised in Annex IV; and

(b)

complies with the provisions of Part II of Annex I in principle, and also in detail, so far as is reasonable and practicable, having regard to the efficiency of (i) the protection of openings; (ii) guard rails; (iii) freeing ports, and (iv) means of access to crews' quarters provided by the existing arrangements, fittings and appliances on the ship.

ARTICLE 6 Provisions for Steamers carrying Timber Deck Cargoes.

1 A steamer which has been surveyed and marked under Article 5 shall be entitled to be surveyed and marked with a timber load line under Part V of Annex I if, being—

A

—a new ship, it complies with the conditions and provisions prescribed in Part V of Annex I;

B

—an existing ship, it complies with the conditions and provisions of Part V of Annex I other than Rule LXXX, and also in principle, so far as is reasonable and practicable, with the conditions and provisions prescribed by Rule LXXX. provided that in assigning a timber load line to an existing ship the Administration shall make such addition to the freeboard as shall be reasonable, having regard to the extent to which such ship falls short of full compliance with the conditions and provisions prescribed in Rule LXXX.

2 A steamer when using the timber load line shall comply with Rules LXXXIV, LXXXV, LXXXVI, LXXXVLU and LXXXIX.

ARTICLE 7 Provisions for Tankers.

A steamer which has been surveyed under Article 5 shall be entitled to be surveyed and marked as a tanker under Part VI of Annex I if, being—

A

—a new ship, it complies with the conditions and provisions prescribed in Part VI of Annex I;

B

—an existing ship, it complies with the conditions and provisions in Rules XCIH, XCVI, XCVH, XCVIII and XCIX, and also in principle so far as is reasonable and practicable with Rules XCIV, XCV and C, provided that in assigning a tanker load line to an existing ship the Administration shah make such addition to the free-board as shall be reasonable having regard to the extent to which such ship falls short of full compliance with the conditions and provisions prescribed in Rules XCIV, XCV and C.

ARTICLE 8 Provisions for Ships of Special Types.

For steamers over 300 feet in length, possessing constructional features similar to those of a tanker which afford extra invulnerability against the sea, a reduction in freeboard may be granted.

The amount of such reduction shall be determined by the Administration in relation to the freeboard assigned to tankers, having regard to the degree of compliance with the conditions of assignment laid down for these ships, and the degree of subdivision provided.

The freeboard assigned to such a ship shall in no case be less than would be assigned to the ship as a tanker.

ARTICLE 9 Survey.

The survey and marking of ships for the purpose of this Convention shall be carried out by officers of the country to which the ships belong, provided that the Government of each country may entrust the survey and marking of its ships either to Surveyors nominated for this purpose, or to organisations recognised by it. In every case the Government concerned fully guarantees the completeness and efficiency of the survey and marking.

ARTICLE 10 Zones and Seasonal Areas.

A ship to which this Convention applies shall conform to the conditions applicable to the zones and seasonal areas described in Annex II to this Convention.

A port standing on the boundary line between two zones shall be regarded as within the zone from or into which the ship arrives or departs.